A Diversity TV Black History Month Special….
Click on image below to watch full interview
“Politics can be a force for good….politics can make a difference in people’s lives…friends advised me to run for politics to give back in a bigger way and fight for the services that I benefited from…you’re as Canadian as anyone else, work hard, fight hard, volunteer to learn new skills and expand your network, this is your country, learn your history….”
From the bottom of his new country as a Somali refugee to the summit, a Canadian Minister opens up.
A Diversity TV Black History Month Special with Ahmed Hussen, Canadian Minister for Families, Children and Social Development.
Watch full interview https://youtu.be/OTZ06HFgUcE
Who is Ahmed Hussen?
The Honourable Ahmed Hussen is the Member of Parliament for York South—Weston. A community advocate and lawyer, he has proudly represented the residents of York South-Weston since 2015.
Ahmed immigrated to Canada at the age of 16 as a refugee. After attending high school in Hamilton, Ontario, Ahmed worked at the Hamilton—Wentworth social services department before he settled in Toronto in 1997.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree at York University and soon co-founded the Regent Park Community Council. As the president of this organization, Ahmed played a key role in fiercely advocating for Regent Park’s 15,000 residents, securing a $500 Million investment to revitalize Regent Park.
He was awarded the Queen’s Gold Medal for his leadership efforts in the Regent Park Community. Serving as National President for the Canadian Somali Congress, Ahmed worked with national and regional authorities to advocate on important issues to Canadians of Somali heritage, strengthening civic engagement and integration.
His results-driven reputation led to an invitation from the Toronto City Summit Alliance to join the task force for modernizing income security for working adults. As a result of his advocacy work, the Toronto Star recognized Ahmed as one of ten individuals in Toronto to have made substantial contributions to the city.
Ahmed has also worked as a Special Assistant for intergovernmental affairs to former Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. After earning a law degree from the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, Ahmed Hussen practised law in the areas of criminal defence, immigration and refugee law, and human rights. He has served as a member on the board of the Global Enrichment Foundation, an organization that has enabled women in East Africa to access post-secondary education.
He has also served on the board of Journalists for Human Rights, an organization that empowers journalists in developing countries to cover human rights and governance issues objectively and effectively. Ahmed was elected as the Member of Parliament for York South—Weston in 2015 and sat on the Justice and Human Rights Committee.
He was also the vice-chair of the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association. In January 2017, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Ahmed as Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship. Ahmed was subsequently re-elected as the Member of Parliament for York South—Weston in October 2019.
On November 20, 2019, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Ahmed Hussen as Canada’s Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.
In parliament and in his constituency, Ahmed Hussen continues to work hard for the residents of York South—Weston and for all Canadians.
